Bigfork vs Red Lodge

4th of july

By New West Editor, 7-04-07

Cartoon by Stephen Templeton of the Flathead Beacon.

Bigfork and Red Lodge, uniquely Montanan in architecture and character, are arguably the most popular towns to celebrate this country’s independence in the state. While many of Montana's largest cities empty for the holiday weekend, Red Lodge’s population of about 2,500 and Bigfork’s 1,500 swell several times over. How much? It’s hard to say. But, on peak holidays, estimates for each are in the tens of thousands.

This begs the question: Which town hosts the best Fourth of July celebration?

Visit the Flathead Beacon to find out.